Rhododendron thomsonii

Rhododendron thomsonii

Native to Northern India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, and southern Xizang in China, where it grows at altitudes of 3000–4000 meters. It is a shrub that grows to 2–4 m in height, with leathery leaves that are oblong-elliptic to ovate or orbicular to obovate, 3–7 by 2–6 cm in size. It produces red magenta flowers in Spring.

Planning

Difficulty

Easy

Flowering time

Spring

Fruiting time

Autumn

Harvesting

Generally hot harvested

Propagation

Cuttings

Semi hardwood cuttings.

Geography

Environment

Light

Partial Sun

Soil moisture

Moist

Soil type

Clay, Loam, Peat, Sand

Soil PH preference

Acid

Frost hardiness

Hardy

Uses

Notes

Suits sheltered woody sites with slightly damp/cooler ground conditions. it looks good in large gardens/parks but can also be grown in large containers.

Personality

Family

Ericaceae

Flower colour

Red

Scent

None

Problems

Leafhoppers can spread bud blast, Rhododendron can also suffer from petal blight and Silver Leaf